Needle loom



Nov. 3, '1953 M. BALLBER 2,657,714

' NEEDLE LOOM Filed Oct. 4, 1948 13 Sheets-Sheet l Mmm;

M. BALLBER Nov. 3, 1953 NEEDLE LOOM Filed Oct. 4, 1948 s g l O I Q M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM Nov. 3, 1953 15 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 S I P m. M N I Nov. 3, 1953 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 FIG.5

M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 3, 1953 M. BALLBER 2,657,714

NEEDLE LOOM Filed Oct. 4, 1948 I 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 M. BALLBER Nov. 3, 1953 NEEDLE LOOM 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 Nov. 3, 1953 I M. BALLBER 2,657,714

NEEDLE LOOM 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM Nov. 3,1953

13 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 Nov. 3, 1953 M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM l3 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM Nov. 3, 1953 13 Sheets-Sheet 1o Filed Oct. 4, 19 48 M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM Nov. 3, 1953 13 Shet's-Sheet 11 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 [five/7722K M Ba/lber.

z/www v M M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM Nov. 3, 1953 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Oak. 4, 1948 Inn? for M. BALLBER NEEDLE LOOM Nov. 3, 1953 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,657,714 NEEDLE LOOM Mariano Ballber, Paris, France Application October 4, 1948, Serial No. 52,647 Claims priority, application France 3 my 16, 1948 7 Claims.

The object of my invention consists of improvements in needle looms which operate without a shuttle. The improvements of the present invention comprise the following elements taken alone or in combination:

(a) A sliding thread-clamping device holding the weft-thread in its inoperative position and in its needle threading position and releasing it in its operative position;

(b) Tightening Wires, for the weft-thread, preferably high resistance wire that give an even amount of tension to the thread and form a provision of thread that cuts out all danger of breakage through inertia when threading and starting off of the needle;

A weft-carrying needle of suitable shape enabling the weft to be threaded laterally through the mere motion of the batten, while the needle is drawn into the path of the latter, owing to the fact that the control sectors of the needle are rigid with the batten;

(d) The combination, together with the Weft holding needle, of a weft holder for forming the selvedge that ensures the locking of the weft while the needle returns into its starting position In order to obtain a clearer understanding of the invention, a single form of execution as an example only, without any restriction as to the scope of the invention, is illustrated. in the ac ccompanying drawings, diagrammatic form and in which:

Figure 1 shows, for one side of the loom, the parts constituting the thread distributor and the weft selector in their inoperative position;

Figure 2 is an illustration of the same parts in the position corresponding to a threading of the needle;

Figure 3 shows the same parts in their operative position, with the needle engaged in the shed and drawing the weft;

Figure 4 is a section on a larger scale of the thread-clamping device;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a weft carrying needle, seen from the weavers side;

Figure 6 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 7 is an elevational view from the batten side;

Figures 8 and 9, 10 and 11, 12 and 13, 14 and 15, 16 and 17, 18 and 19 are diagrams showing in various positions a portion of the batten of the loom illustrating the method of working of one of the weft-cariwing needles;

Figures 20 and 21 show in eI-evational and in plan view, respectively, the way in which the needle works together with the Weft holder for forming a selvedge Figure 22 illustrates the texture of the fabric obtained on the loom that incorporates the imrove-merits according to my invention;

Figure 23 is a partial elevational view of the contro1 mechanism for the lags and pegs in= sorted therein;

Figure 24 is a partial elevational view taken at right angles to Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a partial elevational view or the retaining means for the lags;

Figure 26 is a partial elevational view of the batten and needle control means;

Figures 2'? s oes are views taken on the lines A B and C D, res ectively of Fig r 26;

Figure '29 is an elevational view of the control means for the weft holder, and I I Figure 30 is a partial elevatioiial View of the weft holder control means taken at fight angles to Figure 29.

As apparent from Figures 1 to 3, the weft thread T coiled on the spool A passes through the thread-clamping means I and, under a guideblade 2, to engage thread guides formed at the end of the thread tensioning means 3, 4 ciristi tuted by so called piano wires, and then pass under a roller 5.

In the inoperative position, the thread T is clamped in the thread clamping means I, the structure of which is shown in detail in Figure 4. This thread=clamping means is formed by a slide 6 moving inside a stationary member 1 I A hole 8 is arranged in the slide and another hole 9 is out in the member I. When the slide is in the position shown in Figure 4, the thread T is clamped. When the hole 8 of the slide is brought opposite the hole 9 of the member 1 on operation of the mechanism, the thread is released.

The thread tensioning piano wires 3, 4 when inoperative are in the top position shown in Figure l, in which position they produce an even tension for the thread while forming a reserve of thread that removes any danger of breaking through inertia at the time of the threading and starting of the needle. When the loom is in this inoperative condition, there is no thread presented for threading on the needle.

Figure 2 shows the parts in threading position with the needle at the start of its travel but not yet inserted in the shed.

The selection is carried out by the lever l0 which has a reciprocating swinging motion. A peg H on the chain of legs i2 meets the sh' [3 that forces the assembly of levers 1 4 to execute a suitably defined travel.

The con truction of the chain of hinged wooden lags l2 with holes therein receiving the wooden pegs II which act on the shoe i3 is more clearly seen in Figure 23. Ihe lag barrel B is driven by the pin wheel W clearly shown in Figure 24, and the pawl P when the lever Ill oscillates under the action of a cam mechanism of any known type. C (Figures 23 and 24) designates a starshaped brake wheel rotating with the wheel W and cooperating with a spring urged shoe S for retaining the barrel B in the intervals between two rotations.

Each needle is inserted into the shed by a steel band at mounted over a sector for winding on and unwinding from it as shown in Figure 26, known means being provided for imparting oscillations to said sector. An object of the invention is to provide for reciprocable swinging movement of said sector with the batten 2A. The referred to drawing shows only by way of example, how such a mechanism may be realized, although this form of embodiment is not a limitative one. The batten is swung by a lever mechanism actuated by a crank-shaft and the oscillation of arm M driving the steel band and needle is obtained by a crank-shaft actuating a lever system which drives a rack B (Fig. 28) and pinion; D designates a slide and E an axis adjusted to the frame, said slide being slidable around said axis.

The weft holder 2? is withdrawn before beat-up is accomplished, but the weft is held in the fabrics by the formation of a new shed and beatingup takes place with closed shed; it is to be observed that the piano wires 3 and 4 are up when the needle is out of the shed and this shed closed, so the Weft is tensioned around the pointed rod forming the weft holder 27.

The slide 5 is raised as follows:

When the shoe 3 is released by the peg I I, the spring attached to the corresponding lever I8 acts to swing said lever i8 which is liberated from lever it; in turn, lever [B is raised and raises lever 22 and slide 6.

The change of position of the assembly [4 starts up a swinging motion of the lever l5 round its pivot it, which causes the downward movement of the rod ll that carries the weft thread T. The thread is then on a level with the weft holding needle. At the same time, the lever assembly Hi sets the hooked lever E8 in its operative position by means of rod l4 integral with lever Hi and which pushes on the upper part of hooked lever 18 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The means for driving each weft holder 2'! comprises: a driving shaft 3|, a cam member 32 keyed on said shaft, an axle 33 pivotally mounted on the loom frame, levers 3t and 35 secured to said axle a spring mounted for urging the end of lever as against cam 32, an axle 31 pivotally mounted on the loom frame, levers 38 and 39 secured to said axle 3?, a link 4!) connecting levers 35 and 38, an axle 4i pivotally mounted on the loom frame, levers 52, 43 and 44 secured to said axle 5!, a link. .5 connecting levers 39 and 43, a link 45 connecting lever 44 and the rear end or" weft holder 2?, said weft holder being slidingly mounted in batten 24, a spring 41 having one end fixedly attached and the other end secured to the end of lever 42 for urging link 46 towards a position corresponding to the position where said weft holder 27 hold a weft loop.

in the operative position (Figure 3) the needle is inserted in the shed and draws the weft.

With the distributor in the threading position, the lever it engages a suitably set hook-lever 18 immediately before the needle enters the shed. The effect of this is to lower the piston 20 (Fig- '4 ure 4) through the agency of the lever 2i; the piston 28 then moves inside the cylinder 22. Four balls 23 in the cylinder 22 are pressed by springs on the inner wall of the cylinder 22 forcing the latter to follow the piston in its downward movement and to immediately release the clamping arrangement by bringing the two holes 8 and 9 opposite one another, which enables the thread T to travel freely through the machine. Any excess relative travel between piston and cylinder is compensated for by the sliding of these two parts inside each other.

At this particular instant, the two thread tensioning wires 3, i set on the lever 2i, are themselves lowered and consequently, tension being removed, the thread is completely free throughout its run.

The weft-holding needle 25 as shown in Figures 5 to 7 is controlled by a steel blade rolled over a sector swinging with the batten 2% (Figures 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 26).

The procedure of threading the weft on the needle and forming the selvedges is explained in the following.

Figures, 8 and 9 correspond to the threading position (Figure 2) of the thread distributor. The needle 25 when drawn into the swinging movement of the batten it meets on its way the thread T that has been lowered to its level by the rod ii. The weft then slips automatically into a groove 26 of the needle 25 (Figure 5). The threading is thus obtained (see Figures 10 and 11).

Figures 12 and 13 correspond to the operative position (Figure 3) of the thread distributor. As will be seen in these figures, the needle enters the shed while taking with it the weft T.

Figures 14 and 15 correspond likewise to the operative position of the thread distributor (Figure 3).

When the needle reaches the end of its travel, the weft holder 21 serving for the formation of the selvedge (see Figures 16, 20, 21 and 29) comes into action. This is placed, when the needle reaches the end of its travel (Figure 16) opposite a vertical slot 28 cut in the needle (see Figures 6, 20 and 21) and, under the influence of a suitable control device, it goes into this slot. In this position, the weft holder 2? locks as it were the weft quite securely (see Figure 16) while the needle returns to its starting point and is released from the shed that closes.

At the instant when the weft holder 27 engages the weft on the needle at the end of the travel of the latter, the slide 6 of the thread-clamping means i is raised to the upper limit of its travel thereby bringing about the immediate clamping of the thread therein. There is then a return to the threading position (Figure 2). At the same time, the thread tightening wires 3-4 rise and give the Weft the required amount of tension for its proper positioning in the shed before the latter is closed.

At the end of the return travel of the needle, the thread distributor resumes its inoperative position as illustrated in Figure l.

The loom is provided with two needles 25 (Figure 26) and two weft holders 21, only one of which is shown in Figure 28, that operate alternately, on each side of the loom, that is likewise furnished with two sets of thread distributors each of which feeds the corresponding needle.

The thread distributing gear of the invention takes up very little space in depth (in the nature of 13 mm.) and this special feature enables several of these to be arranged in series, without involving any mechanical difficulty. Consequently it is practical to weave with six, eight and even twelve various weft colors on each side. Selected colors are obtained in accordance with the desired texture of the fabric, by means of the pegs ll suitably arranged in accordance with the desired pattern.

A weft stop-motion device of any desired known means, actuated by electric or mechanical means, may be provided on each thread distributor, and this device can then control the immediate stoppage of the 100m in the event of breakage of one of the weft threads. Such a breakage cuts out the tension of the thread effected by the tensioni'ng wires 3-4, the latter consequently can rise again and work a mechanical control device or else close an electric contact. Thin blades straddling the threads could also be used, in the event of a thread breaking, and fall on a mechanical or electric device located underneath the table 29 of the distributor.

Use might also be made of another weft stopmotion device operated by the tension of the thread between the thread clamping means and the thread tensioning wires 3-4.

Figure 22 shows the texture of the fabric obtained with the loom as described above and the formation of selvedges, with the black thread coming from the left side and the streaked thread from the right side, said fabric being similar to that obtained with the loom disclosed in my French patent lodged on April 10, 1942, for "Improvements to Weaving Looms Without Shuttles.

The chief advantages obtained by the loom incorporating the improvements according to my invention are as follows:

1. The weft is practically continuous through the possibility of making use of spools of large capacity.

2. The weft is brought in smoothly without any jerking motion.

3. The loom runs quietly.

4. Two picks are inserted in the shed, the effect of which is to double the theoretical speed as to output.

5. The loom may handle any textile fibers without undergoing any alteration.

6. The greater portion of the handling preparatory to starting the work '(spooling, etc.) is eliminated.

7. Finally, working with several colors in the weft becomes entirely practical, while the mechanical structure remains extremely simple.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A shuttleless weaving loom of the type including a pair of substantially horizontally extending, eyeless weft needles disposed symmetrically on either side of said loom and each fixed at one end of a respective metal strip adapted to be extended horizontally transversely to said loom and whose other end is attached to a related swinging sector on which said metal strip is adapted to be wound, comprising: a batten to which both said sectors are attached; said needles each being formed with a vertical slit at the front end thereof and being adapted to seize sideways an uninterrupted weft thread extending generally in the horizontal plane defined by said needles thereby inserting in turn a double weft throughout the width of a corresponding shed; means for horizontally positioning a weft thread in said horizontal plane thereby allowing said thread to be seized. by the related needle prior to insertion within said shed clamping means for clamping said weft thread; means for actuatin said clamping means when said weft thread is seized by the related needle and for releasing said clamping means as said weft thread is passed through said shed; a pair of vertically slidable weft holders in the form of pointed rods arranged at either side of said loom; means for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to said weft holders for inserting said weft holders into the vertical slit in the related needle and for retracting said weft holder from the closed shed prior to beating up; and tensioning means for securing tension of said weft. thread in the shed when the related needle is retracted.

2. A shuttleless weaving loom of the type ineluding a pair of substantially horizontally extending, eyeless weft needles symmetrically arranged. on either side of said loom and. each fixed to one end of a respective metal strip adapted to be passed transversely to said loom and having the other end thereof attached to a related swinging sector on which said metal strip is adapted to be wound, comprising: a batten to which said sectors are attached; said needles being formed with a vertical slit and a horizontally extending slit of lesser depth than said vertical slit at the front end thereof, said horizontal. slit being adapted to seize sidewards an uninterrupted weft thread extending in the horizontal plane defined by said needles to pass in turn a double weft formed from said Weft thread throu hout the width of a shed; means for positioning horizontally said weft thread in said horizontal plane; clamping means for clamping said weft thread; means for actuating said clamping means when said weft thread is seized by the related needle and for releasing. said clamping means as said weft thread is engaged within the shed; a pair of substantially vertical pointed rods arranged on. either side of said loom; means for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to said pointed rods to force said rods into said vertical slit in the related needle and to retract said pointed rods just prior to beating up; and tensioning means for insuring tension of said weft thread when introduced in the shed as the related needle is retracted.

3. A shuttleless weaving loom of the type including a pair of substantially horizontally extending, eyeless weft needles symmetrically arranged on either side of said loom and each fixed to one end of a respective metal strip adaptedv to be passed transversely to said loom and having the other end thereof attached to a related swinging sector adapted to wind and unwind said metal strip thereon, comprising: a batten to which said. sectors are attached; said needles having a horizontally extending vertical slit at the front end thereof adapted to seize sideways an uninterrupted weft thread positioned in the horizontal plane defined by said needles thereby inserting in turn said weft thread in the form of a double weft throughout the width of a shed; a vertical rod. provided with. an eye receiving the weft thread therethrough; lever means controlling said vertical rod to impart to the same vertical reciprocating movement thereby bringing the same in said horizontal plane; clamping means for clamping said weft thread; means for actuating said clamping means when said weft thread is seized by the related needle and for releasing said clamping means as said weft thread is engaged within the shed; a pair of vertically slidable pointed rods arranged on. either side of. said.

loom; means for applying a vertical reciprocating movement to said pointed rods to force said rods into said vertical slit in the related needle, thereby holding the loop formed by said double weft, until the shed is closed and to retract said rods just prior to beating up; and tensioning means for insuring tension of said weft thread when introduced in the shed as the related needle is retracted.

4. A shuttleless weaving loom of the type including a pair of substantially horizontally extending, eyeless weft needles symmetrically arranged on either side of said loom and each fixed to one end of a respective metal strip having the other end thereof attached to a swinging sector adapted alternately to wind and unwind said metal strip thereon, comprising: a batten to which said sectors are attached; said needles having a horizontally extended vertical slit at the front end thereof adapted to seize sideways an uninterrupted weft thread positioned in the horizontal plane defined by said needles thereby inserting in turn said weft thread in the form of a double weft throughout the width of a shed; a vertical rod provided with an eye receiving said weft thread therethrough; lever means controlling said vertical rod to impart to the same a vertical reciprocating movement thereby bringing the same in said horizontal plane; a substan tially vertical cylinder formed with a pair of diametrically opposed ports; a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and provided with a transversely extending hole therethrough, said weft thread passin through said ports and said hole; lever means controlling said piston; a fixed stop adapted to arrest said piston in the position where said ports and hole are in register; resilient means inserted between said lever means and said piston; a pair of vertically slidable pointed rods arranged on either side of said loom adapted to hold the loop formed by said double weft thread; means for applying a vertical reciprocating movement to said pointed rods for forcing said rods into said vertical slit in the related needle, thereby holding said loop, until the shed is closed, and for retracting said rods just prior to beating up; and tensioning means for insuring tension of said weft thread when introduced in the shed upon retraction of the related needle.

5. A shuttleless weaving loom of the type set forth including a pair of substantially horizontally extending, eyeless weft needles symmetrically arranged at either side of said loom and each fixed to oneend of a respective metal strip adapted to be extended transversely to said loom and having the other end thereof attached to a related swinging sector adapted to wind and unwind said related metal strip thereon, cornprising: a batten to which said sectors are attached; said needles being formed with a vertical slit and a horizontally extending slit of lesser depth than said vertical slit at the front end thereof, said. horizontal slit being adapted to seize sideways an uninterrupted weft thread when extending in the horizontal plane defined by said needles thereby inserting in turn a double weft formed from said weft thread throughout the width of a shed; means for positioning horizontally said weft thread in said horizontal plane; clamping means for clamping said weft thread; means for actuating said clamping means when said thread is seized by the related needle and for releasing said clamping means as said weft thread is engaged within a shed; a pair of vertically slidable pointed rods on either side of said loom; means for applying a vertical reciprocating movement to said rods to insert the same into said vertical slit in the related needle, thereby maintaining the loop formed by said weft thread, until the shed is closed and to retract said pointed rod just prior to beating up; a swinging lever controlled by said clamping means; a pair of piano wires attached to said swinging lever at one end and formed with an eye at the free end thereof, through which said weft thread passes; fixed guiding means for said weft thread cooperating with said eyes in said piano wires thereby enabling said thread freely to pass in straight line when inserted in the shed and causing said thread when clamped to assume a zig-zag path to be tensioned when a double weft is positioned within a shed.

6. A shuttleless weaving loom of the type including a pair of substantially horizontally extending, eyeless weft needles symmetrically arranged on either side of said loom and each fixed to one end of a respective metal strip having the other end thereof attached to a related swinging sector adapted to wind and unwind said metal strip thereon, comprising: ,a plurality of supply sources for respectively different weft threads; a batten to which said sectors are attached; said needles being formed with a vertical slit and a horizontally extending slit of lesser depth than said vertical slit at the front end thereof, said horizontal slit being adapted to seize sidewards a selected uninterrupted weft thread when extending in the horizontal plane defined by said needles thereby inserting in turn a double weft formed by said selected weft thread throughout the width of a shed; means for positioning horizontally said selected weft thread in said horizontal plane; clamping means for clamping said selected weft thread; means for actuating said clamping means upon said selected weft thread being seized by the related needle and for releasing said clamping means as said selected weft thread is engaged within the shed; selecting means including a lag chain, a plurality of transversely projecting pegs inserted in said lag chain at predetermined positions, and lever means associated with each of said weft threads, respectively, and controlled selectively by said pegs and operating said positioning means and said clamping means for said selected weft thread; a pair of vertically slidable pointed rods arranged on either side of said loom; means for applying a vertical reciprocating movement to said pointed rods to force said rods into said vertical slit in the related needle until the shed is closed and to retract said rods just prior to beating up; and tensioning means for insuring tension of said weft thread when introduced in the shed upon retraction of the related needle.

7. A shuttleless weaving loom of the type including a pair of substantially horizontal, eyeless weft needles symmetrically arranged on either side of said loom and each fixed to one end of a respective metal strip having the other end thereof attached to a related swinging sector on which said metal strip is adapted to be wound, comprising: a plurality of supply sources for respectively different weft threads; a batten to which said sectors are attached; said needles being formed with a vertical slit and a horizontally extended slit of lesser depth than said vertical slit at the front end thereof, said horizontal slit' being adapted to seize sidewards a selected uninterrupted weft thread extending in the horizontal plane defined by said needles thereby in- 9 serting in turn a double weft formed from said selected weft thread throughout the width of a shed; for each of said weft threads a vertical rod provided with an eye receiving the related weft thread therethrough; lever means controlling said vertical rod to impart to the same a vertical reciprocating movement thereby positioning said selected weft thread in said horizontal plane; a substantially vertical cylinder formed with a pair of diametrically opposed ports; a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and provided with a transversely extending hole therethrough, said related weft thread passing through said ports and said hole; first lever means controlling said piston; a fixed stop arresting said piston in the position where said ports and said hole are in registration; resilient means inserted between said lever means and said piston; a pair of vertically slidable pointed rods on either side of said loom; means for applying a vertical reciprocating movement to said rods to insert the same into said vertical slit in the related needle, thereby maintaining the loop formed by said selected weft thread until the shed is closed and to retract said pointed rod just prior to beating up; a swinging lever controlled by said first lever means; a pair of piano wires attached to said swinging lever at one end, and formed with an eye at the free end thereof through which said selected weft thread passes; fixed guiding means for said weft thread cooperating with said eyes in said piano wires, thereby enabling said selected thread freely to pass in straight line when inserted in the shed and causing said selected thread when clamped to assume a zig-zag path to be tensioned when a double weft is positioned within a shed; selecting means including a lag chain, a plurality of transversely projecting pegs inserted in said lag chain at predetermined positions; and second lever means associated with each of said weft threads, respectively, and operated selectively by said pegs and controlling said related vertical eye rod and said first lever means.

MARIANO BALLBER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 441,796 Graner Dec. 2, 1890 639,018 Brun Dec. 12, 1899 681,004 Skinner et a1 Aug. 20, 1901 831,322 Brooks 1- Sept. 18, 1906 2,013,230 Best Sept. 3, 1935 2,202,226 Nichols May 28, 1940 2,209,839 Long July 30, 1940 2,389,091 Shuttleworth Nov. 13, 1945 2,407,773 Fletcher Sept. 17, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 248,120 Germany June 15, 1912 396,961 Great Britain Aug. 17, 1933 

